Innovation Lead - DC Flex Sandbox

Position Title

Innovation Lead - DC Flex Sandbox

REQ-4016

Full time

Charlotte, NC;
Palo Alto, CA;
Washington, D.C.;
Washington DC Home Office

The Innovation Lead, DCFlex Sandbox is a technical role responsible for designing, operating, and advancing EPRI's DCFlex Sandbox as the premier neutral validation environment for emerging datacenter and grid‑interactive hardware technologies in the United States.

This role sits at the intersection of advanced engineering research, industry validation, and executive stakeholder engagement. The incumbent is a recognized technical authority who leads complex, first‑of‑its‑kind validation efforts where precedent is limited, technical ambiguity is high, and creative, systems‑level thinking is required.

Reporting to the DCFlex Program Director, with executive sponsorship from senior EPRI leadership, the Innovation Lead represents EPRI internally and externally, shaping how utilities, hyperscalers, and technology innovators confidently adopt next‑generation datacenter infrastructure.

DCFlex serves as a sandbox where emerging datacenter hardware—advanced cooling, power electronics, energy storage, modular systems, and AI‑enabled controls—can be evaluated under real grid conditions, against real operator requirements, with neutral, decision‑grade evidence.

• Advances the state of knowledge in datacenter‑grid integration
• Produces evidence trusted by utilities, operators, and regulators
• Strengthens EPRI's leadership and credibility in AI‑era infrastructure

• Design and oversee complex validation programs and research studies that advance industry knowledge where cause‑and‑effect relationships are not fully established.
• Maintain deep, up‑to‑date expertise in datacenter power systems, cooling technologies, energy storage, controls, AI workloads, and grid integration.
• Translate cutting‑edge research and technical judgment into published, decision‑grade validation outcomes for EPRI members.

• Own the DCFLEX sandbox portfolio, maintaining a prioritized pipeline of emerging datacenter hardware technologies.
• In partnership with EPRI Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and the DCFlex Member Advisory Board, determine which technologies enter the sandbox, in what sequence, and under what validation scope.
• Balance innovation breadth with execution depth to ensure effective use of validation resources.

• Build and sustain senior‑level relationships with U.S. datacenter hardware innovators, including established OEMs, scale‑ups, and venture‑backed startups.
• Structure and manage innovators' entry into the sandbox, aligning expectations, validation protocols, and neutral measurement requirements.
• Represent EPRI and DCFlex at industry forums, conferences, and technical convenings.

• Serve as a primary technical interface with utilities, hyperscalers, and datacenter operators participating in DCFlex.
• Translate member needs and system‑level pain points into sandbox priorities and validation designs.
• Prepare and deliver executive‑level briefings, validation reports, and strategic recommendations for EPRI leadership and member executives.

• Contribute technical expertise across multiple EPRI projects and sectors as needed for effective utilization of specialized knowledge.
• Coach and mentor developing technical staff and project teams, with or without direct management responsibility.
• Lead or coordinate small, cross‑sector teams delivering advanced validation and research outputs.

• Execution of high‑credibility validation programs that influence deployment, procurement, standards, or regulatory discussions.
• Recognition by members and external stakeholders as a trusted technical authority and neutral arbiter.
• Effective translation of advanced research into actionable guidance for AI‑era datacenter infrastructure.
• Strengthened EPRI technical leadership and visibility in datacenter flexibility and grid integration.

• Advanced degree in electrical…